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August 28, 2024
Back to School
The Fall semester has already started. We see a lot of freshmen on campus. They must be excited and anxious at the same time. Students face many challenges during their time on campus. We, as university employees, want to help them achieve their goals and be successful. Here are some challenges they may face during college years.
Academic Challenges
Academic performance is arguably the most crucial aspect of the college experience. Therefore, the pressure to excel can often be heavy on students. Dealing with the intense workload, rigorous course- and homework, as well as high expectations set by themselves or others in their lives, can lead to stress and self-doubt.
Financial Challenges
Financial stress has a significant impact on a student's ability to succeed both academically and socially. Most students can't write checks or pay through a savings account for their college meal plans, tuition, books, and materials. College is a significant investment, and financial uncertainty is common among students. This worry can compound for those who need to support their families while also staying enrolled in college.
The majority of college students use loans to pay for their college and personal expenses, so they will also face the reality of student loan debt after graduation.
Poor financial security can negatively impact students' mental health. Worrying over finances might contribute to or worsen mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Financial insecurity is also a major reason students defer or drop out of school.
Social Life Challenges
From new friendships to romantic relationships, university is a time to meet new people and have new experiences. It’s important to always remember to love yourself first and not to change for anyone else. Make sure you surround yourself with people who uplift and support you and who make your university experience a positive one. University is a time to meet new people and have new experiences. It’s important to always remember to love yourself first and not to change for anyone else.
Mental Health Challenges
More than 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem in the 2020-2021 school year. Many college students struggle with mental health due to stress from coursework or anxiety from friendships and romantic relationships. For example, some students experience mental turmoil due to the pressure of completing a degree. The combination of classes, work commitments, extracurricular activities, and relationships can be difficult for people to handle emotionally. Other students might experience fatigue, depression, or insomnia due to excess stress.
Faculty members are often the first line of defense when it comes to identifying and confronting student mental health challenges. In their interactions with students, they can pick up on changes in behavior, such as a drop in attendance and failure to submit assignments, that may indicate a student is struggling. Faculty need to be able to spot when something is wrong and know where to refer students to get help.
Colleges must also think outside the box and find creative solutions to support students, especially with limited resources. Instead of waiting weeks to see a counselor, institutions can use a stepped approach where counselors see students needing urgent care immediately. Group therapy can also help students connect with peers with the support of a counselor.
Physical health also plays an important role in improving mental health. Colleges must invest in fitness facilities and sports clubs that prompt physical health too. Dining facilities also need to include healthy meal options that promote wellness.
Physical issues may also present themselves. Because students share dorm rooms and interact socially with many people, it can be common for students to experience colds, flu, or other temporary illnesses. While a cold might not present a larger challenge to students, other physical pains and conditions might be difficult to manage.
For example, physical symptoms like headaches, migraines, muscle pain and soreness, poor eating habits, or substance and alcohol misuse may result from the added stress of college.
Homesick
One of the first challenges you may face in university is missing home. Even though you’re meeting lots of new people and trying new things, it’s easy to miss your friends and family (heck, even your own bed) back home. This is totally normal and lots of people go through this.
We don't know what others are going through. So be kind and be there for others even when they weren't able to be there for you. Collage is a great place for students (and us too) to learn about themselves and find who they are. Let's make campus more comfortable place for everyone.
References:
https://bau.edu/blog/problems-college-students-face/
https://www.watermarkinsights.com/resources/blog/the-top-three-challenges-students-face
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